My mentoring service offers personalized guidance to help photographers strengthen their skills in image selection, sequencing, project clarity, and portfolio review preparation. I provide candid, constructive feedback, assist in setting achievable goals, and support you in developing a work ethic that fits your lifestyle. If you’re serious about committing to your growth as a photographer, contact me to set a date to begin your journey.

Testimonials

Tony’s mentorship has been transformative. In preparation for a portfolio review, he helped me edit and sequence two bodies of work. Sequencing images was an amorphous skill that I struggled to wrap my head around. Working with him was like having a personal curator who was also a thoughtful educator. He demonstrated how to organize a series of images using narrative, form, repetition, and variation to tell a more compelling and engaging visual story. I learned more about this skill through his mentorship than from anyone else in over a decade of study and practice. It has made me a better photographer and educator. - Anna Ream

Tony has been an exceptional mentor to me and my growth as a photographer. He carries wisdom about the often-opaque photography industry through his years of success as a visual artist. He is also patient and supportive of the growth of my vision rather than trying to mold me to another perspective. His constant support has been invaluable. - Kyle Lui

Tony was beyond generous with his time, interest, and sensitivity, as he is a photographic fine artist himself, (in addition to a full-time photography professor) whose work is stunning, deeply emotional, and of great integrity. Anyone who has the chance to work with or learn from Tony should consider themselves in incredible hands; it was extreme luck that I got to meet and work with Tony through Center. – Jo Ann Chaus

I first connected with CENTER Santa Fe in 2020 when I was awarded the Me&Eve Grant, so when I began preparing my Guggenheim application, I contacted CENTER again for an expert consultant in photography. They recommended Tony Chirinos. From the beginning, Tony asked me to be completely vulnerable with my work, to share every image I had created. He helped me see connections I hadn’t recognized and encouraged me to include photographs I had overlooked. More importantly, he guided me in shaping my project so that both the words and the images spoke in unison. Tony didn’t try to change my voice—he helped me express it in the strongest way, while remaining true to my vision and artistic practice. His guidance allowed my portfolio to embody the meaning of my work. In 2024, I was honored to be awarded the Guggenheim Fellowship. – Ada Trillo

I first met Tony through the mentorship program in 2021, when I was seeking guidance on editing and sequencing my work, as well as navigating how to connect with publishers and galleries. Over the course of our sessions, he offered thoughtful and concrete feedback that helped me refine my projects and approach new opportunities with greater clarity. His generosity and clarity stood out—he recognized the strengths of my work and guided me toward making it more cohesive and impactful, which gave me new ways of thinking about my images and strengthened my confidence in sharing them. It has also been inspiring to witness Tony’s own accomplishments, from his celebrated photobook to receiving the Guggenheim Fellowship. Beyond the formal mentorship, he has continued to be a supportive presence in my artistic journey. I am deeply grateful for his mentorship and highly recommend his guidance to anyone seeking thoughtful, experienced, and inspiring support. - Lieh Sugai